A. Jreije “Development, fabrication and characterization of 3d printing materials for patient specific devices in radiotherapy” doctoral dissertation defence

Author, Institution: Antonio Jreije, Kaunas University of Technology

Science area, field of science: Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008

Research supervisor: Prof. Dr. Diana Adlienė (Kaunas University of Technology, Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008)

Dissertation Defence Board of Materials Engineering Science Field:
Prof. Dr. Hab. Arvaidas Galdikas (Kaunas University of Technology, Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008) – chairperson
Senior Researcher Dr. Mindaugas Andrulevičius (Kaunas University of Technology, Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008)
Prof. Dr. Sergejs Gaidukovs (Riga Technical University, Latvia, Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008)
Chief Researcher Dr. Viktoras Grigaliūnas (Kaunas University of Technology, Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008)
Senior Researcher Dr. Rita Plukienė  (State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Natural Sciences, Physics, N002)

Dissertation defence meeting will be at Rectorate Hall of Kaunas University of Technology (K. Donelaičio 73-402, Kaunas)

The doctoral dissertation is available at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (Gedimino 50, Kaunas) and on the internet: A. Jreije el. dissertation (PDF)

Annotation: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a transformative tool in radiotherapy, offering cost-effective, customizable, patient-specific solutions that have the potential to improve treatment accuracy and overall patient outcomes. However, existing 3D printing materials lack the required radiodensity and mechanical properties for optimal clinical use. This work presents a novel methodology for in-house filament production, incorporating metal and metal oxide fillers at controlled concentration to develop 3D printing composites with tunable radiodensity, thus enabling accurate replication of a wide range of human tissues. Additionally, this research is among the first to systematically evaluate the effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on 3D-printed materials, confirming their stability during treatment. Furthermore, this study thoroughly assesses mechanical performance through both simulations and experimental testing, providing valuable insights into the reliability of these materials for medical applications. Beyond material development, this study investigates the clinical feasibility of using these composites to fabricate patient-specific phantoms, boluses, and immobilization masks. The geometric accuracy, tissue equivalency, dosimetric properties, and mechanical performance of these devices are validated, demonstrating their potential for integration into clinical practice. Sustainability concerns are also addressed by exploring material recyclability, ensuring that innovation in patient-specific radiotherapy solutions aligns with environmental responsibility. By bridging the gap between material science, radiotherapy, and sustainability, this research paves the way for more advanced, durable, and environmentally responsible 3D-printed solutions in cancer treatment.